In the past, we’ve informed you of the potential risks of ignoring sleep apnea and letting the condition go untreated. Among those risks are an increased risk of heart disease, liver disease and increased daytime fatigue.
For today’s post, CPAP Central would like to go into greater detail about another health problem associated with sleep apnea, and that is the issue of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
High blood pressure, which occurs when the linings of your blood vessels become clogged with materials like fat, can lead to a long list of other issues. With less room in the blood vessels and the same amount of blood pumping, it means your heart is having to work harder to get the blood to the rest of your body. This can lead to a stroke or a heart attack.
Sleep apnea is most common among people that are overweight or obese. Those same people are the most at risk for developing hypertension. Several studies have indicated that people with sleep apnea are more likely to develop hypertension. Studies have also shown CPAP therapy can have a positive effect on hypertension and lower your blood pressure.
Because of the health risks associated with undiagnosed sleep apnea, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms that accompany the disorder. If you wake up feeling short of breath, if you often wake up with a dry mouth or you’ve been told you snore, especially if the snoring is accompanied by gasping or pauses in breathing, it’s time to contact your doctor.
If your doctor does diagnose you with sleep apnea, CPAP Central has the supplies to help start you on your CPAP therapy. We have full lines of CPAP machines, masks and accessories to help you sleep better and start to battle the other health effects associated with sleep apnea. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.